Younger workers ask for raises upfront before proving themselves, while older generations prove first then get paid. The difference isn't entitlement. It's that layoffs are constant now, so securing cash today matters more than betting on a stable future.
Young people will come into your office and be like, give me a raise and you'll see what I can do.
Yeah.
And older generations are like, pay you before you do it? What? But I think they have it right because there's no guarantee that they're going to have a job by the end of the year because of layoffs. Because just by working hard, it offers no, uh, security of work. That might as well cash in now because I might not have it later.
The biggest question that leaders need to ask themselves is, what am I offering in the age of uncertainty? If I can't offer stability, if I can't offer you that life script, am I offering you a place to learn? Am I offering you a place to belong? Am I offering you a place that'll be one step before you make the big step? What is it that leaders are offering their people? And you're seeing the disruption of pensions, of loyalty of the company to the individual. You're also seeing the dehumanization of work, you know, the over-digitalization of process, the expectation of always that you're on and available. So it's not just that work doesn't buy you what it bought your parents. It's also work isn't bringing the same social rewards and connection points as it did your parents.
AI Won't Tell You the Full Truth | Arthur Brooks + Simon Sinek | A Bit of Optimism Podcast
How To Make the Best Decision | Arthur Brooks and Simon Sinek | A Bit of Optimism
